Child Protection Policy

The Forum 2000 Foundation prioritizes the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of everyone involved in its work. This policy defines our commitment to child protection, ensuring that our personnel, operations, and programs actively prevent harm and protect children from any risk of abuse.

A child is defined as any person under the age of 18, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

While the Foundation’s direct activities are designed mainly for an adult audience, the Foundation also serves as a coordinator in partnership projects. In instances where partners carry out activities involving minors, the Forum 2000 Foundation mandates that all such partners maintain and implement their own Child Protection Policy.

1. Prohibited Conduct

The Forum 2000 Foundation maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward behaviors that compromise the safety of minors. The following actions are strictly prohibited in connection with any Foundation activities:

  • Any form of physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse, as well as grooming, exploitation, or manipulation of a child.
  • Engaging in unsupervised, one-to-one contact with a minor outside of a formal, regulated program setting.
  • Photography, filming, or recording of a minor without explicit prior written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
  • Disclosing or sharing a minor’s personal data without a clear lawful basis and verified parental consent.
  • The provision, offering, or facilitation of access to alcohol, tobacco, or illegal substances to minors.

2. Commitment and Principles

The Forum 2000 Foundation adheres to the following fundamental principles across all operations and collaborative ventures:

  • A strict zero-tolerance policy applies to any form of child abuse, exploitation, or neglect.
  • The welfare and best interests of the child shall be the overriding consideration in all partnership selections, project decisions, and monitoring activities.
  • Every individual acting on behalf of the Foundation is required to maintain the highest standards of professional conduct, always ensuring the dignity and safety of all participants.

3. Staff Training and Awareness

The Forum 2000 Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that all personnel - including staff, consultants, and volunteers - are fully informed regarding this policy and their associated legal and ethical obligations. To maintain these standards, the following protocols are mandatory:

  • A comprehensive introduction to this Child Protection Policy is an integral part of the onboarding process for all new personnel.
  • Staff responsible for managing or overseeing partnership projects that include child-facing activities must receive specialized briefings on child safeguarding principles and risk mitigation.

4. Reporting and Response Procedures

If any staff member, consultant, or representative of the Forum 2000 Foundation identifies a concern regarding the welfare or safety of a minor, they are mandated to adhere to the following protocol:

  • The concern must be reported to the HR immediately, and strictly within a 24-hour window.
  • The incident must be documented in writing as soon as possible, detailing the date, time, specific observations or reports, and all individuals present.
  • Personnel must not attempt to investigate the matter independently or discuss the situation with anyone outside the authorized response team.
  • If a minor is in immediate danger, personnel must contact local emergency services without delay.

All reports will be treated with the utmost seriousness, handled with strict confidentiality, and addressed promptly.

5. Review and Accountability

The Foundation mandates an immediate review of this policy following any significant shift in operational activities that could alter its safeguarding scope or risk profile.